Saint Mary's looks to come out of its first home meet of 2010 with its first win of the New Year.
The Belles suffered two losses last weekend to Hope and Olivet in Michigan in their first matches since returning from break.
This meet marks their last home event this season, and with only three weeks left until the MIAA championships, they need to come out strong. The Belles have learned to work together, even without some of their key swimmers.
"Even though we may have lost some good swimmers recently, we still have a lot of talent on the team," freshman Ellie Watson said. "We keep fighting no matter what challenges we face."
Watson is one of nine freshmen for Saint Mary's, many of whom have already proved to be outstanding performers.
With only three seniors of the team, a lack of experience has hurt the Belles at times.
However, effort and team spirit has kept them going.
Last weekend freshman Katie Griffin took first in both the 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke, and Watson finished first in the 200 freestyle Saturday and second in the 500-meter freestyle in both meets. At the same meet, freshman Genevieve Spittler took first in the 200-meter butterfly and freshman Caila Poythress took first in the 200-meter backstroke. After a first place finish, or two in Griffin's case, the new goal becomes a race against the clock.
"I just want to go out, have fun, and swim faster than I did last weekend," Griffin said.
Additionally, many of the Belles finished second in events across the board, even taking first, second and third on Saturday in the 200 backstroke.
As a team, the goal for this weekend is simple. The girls have each shown their capabilities as individuals, but now want to come out with an overall triumph.
"This weekend our team goal is to beat Albion College," Watson said. "It's going to be close but I know we are strong enough to pull out with a win."
The Belles take on Albion in their final home meet of the season in the Rolfs Aquatic Center at Notre Dame tonight at 7 p.m.
